“Who wants to spend more money that one doesn’t necessarily have? Not a terribly high amount of money but taxes seem to be going up all the time,” Windward Oahu resident Mark Verschell said.

But this proposal would also level the playing field for all users, since some condos, businesses and non-profits pay, while others, do not.

But this isn’t the first time the city has tried to establish a fee. A previous administration tried unsuccessfully to tack on an $8 a month user fee. Councilmember Ann Kobayashi says the same concerns may come up.

“And if we get into charging for trash pickup, then are we next going to say well if the police answer a call at your home there’s going to be a charge?” she asked.

She says the city needs the money, but asks, “Is this the right time to start charging for trash pickup?”

There will be public hearings scheduled for this bill. But if the Honolulu City Council passes it, the new fee would begin next January.